Nine figures were desperately weaving through the sea of fire.
Kin'emon carried the dying Kawamatsu, his steps faltering, yet he dared not stop for a moment.
Behind him, Kanjuro's severed arm was still bleeding, his face ashen, yet he gritted his teeth and followed desperately.
Raizo covered in wounds, and his scrolls were all used up; he could only run on instinct.
Kikunojo gripped the broken sword, guarding the flank of the group, wary of any potential pursuers.
Izo covered in blood, and his katana was dulled, but he still gripped it tightly.
Inuarashi was being carried on the back of Cat Viper. Although his severed leg was simply bandaged, blood seeped out with every step he took.
The Cat Viper was also covered in wounds, panting heavily, but it still ran desperately.
Denjiro carried the unconscious Kawamatsu, following closely behind Kin'emon.
The nine people fled desperately through the inferno like stray dogs.
But in their eyes, an inextinguishable flame burned.
That was the flame of revenge.
It is the unwavering determination to protect.
This is the Kozuki Family's last act of loyalty.
"Faster! Faster!"
Kin'emon growled.
"That's... Lady Toki's residence!"
With their last ounce of strength, they rushed into a hidden alley.
At the end of the alley was an inconspicuous wooden house.
There was no firelight or pirates around the wooden house, only an eerie silence.
Kin'emon rushed to the door and pounded on it frantically.
" Lady Toki! Lady Toki! It's us!"
The door creaked open.
A gentle figure stood at the doorway.
Kozuki Toki.
She was still wearing that simple kimono, her face calm and serene, as if the war outside had nothing to do with her.
But when she saw Kin'emon and the others covered in wounds and in a disheveled state, a pang of heartache still flashed in her eyes.
"Come in quickly."
She stepped aside.
"There's also a hidden basement inside, where you can take temporary refuge."
The nine people filed in and rushed into the wooden house.
Kozuki Toki closed the door, led them through the room, and arrived at the entrance to a hidden basement.
"Go down."
She said softly,
"There is clean water and food inside; you can rest for a while."
Kin'emon, however, did not move.
His eyes were filled with anxiety and grief as he stared at Kozuki Toki.
" Lady Toki! Oden... he..."
His voice choked, and he couldn't finish his sentence.
Kozuki Toki's body trembled slightly.
But she quickly regained her composure and nodded gently.
"I know."
"My husband... died in battle."
Kin'emon widened.
"How... how did you know?"
Kozuki Toki did not answer, but looked at the firelight outside the window, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
She is a person with special abilities.
The user of the Time-Time Fruit.
She can see fragments of the future.
Although it was blurry and uncertain, she did see it.
I saw Oden facing Kaido alone, I saw that earth-shattering slash that wounded Kaido, and I saw Oden lying in a pool of blood.
I've also seen all of this happening right now.
" Lady Toki!"
Denjiro urgently,
"Come with us! Let's leave this place! Let's go somewhere safe!"
"Yes! Let's go together!"
Others also offered their advice.
"It's too dangerous to stay here! The Beasts Pirates will be here soon!"
Kozuki Toki looked at them and gently shook his head.
I'm not leaving.
"What?!"
Kin'emon widened.
" Lady Toki! You..."
"Listen to me."
Kozuki Toki interrupted him, her voice gentle yet firm.
"I have my own mission."
"My husband gave his life to bring hope to Wano Country."
"And I will use my abilities to keep this hope alive."
She raised her hand, and a faint light emanated from her palm.
That was the fluctuation of the Time-Time Fruit's power.
"I can send people to the future."
"Although it's extremely costly, although it can only be done once, and although I myself cannot accompany you..."
"But that's enough."
Kin'emon was stunned.
" Lady Toki... you want to..."
"I'll send you away."
Kozuki Toki's gaze swept over everyone present.
"This is for you, along with Momonosuke and Hiyori, to journey to the future."
"Twenty years later."
"At that time, Wano Country will truly open its borders."
"At that time, new hope will arrive."
"At that time, you will complete the mission your husband left unfinished."
As soon as he finished speaking, the basement door was pushed open.
An old woman led a boy and a girl into the room.
" Lady Toki..."
The old woman was in tears.
"Do we really have to do this?"
Kozuki Toki nodded, took Hiyori's hand, and gently kissed her cheek.
Then, she looked at her son, who still looked terrified.
Momonosuke.
Oden's son.
The heir to the Kozuki Family.
" Momonosuke..."
She murmured,
"Forgive me, Mother, for not being able to be with you."
But you must remember--
"Your father was Kozuki Oden, the greatest samurai of Wano Country."
You must be like him, a man who stands tall and upright.
Just then, a series of noisy footsteps came from the basement entrance.
"Someone has broken in!"
"Search quickly!"
"They're remnants of the Kozuki Family!"
The sound of pirates grew closer and closer.
Kin'emon's expression changed drastically.
" Lady Toki! It's too late! Hurry!"
Kozuki Toki nodded and took a deep breath.
Her hands simultaneously emitted a glow.
The light grew brighter and brighter until it enveloped the entire basement.
"Gentlemen."
The sound of the Kozuki Toki echoed in the light.
See you in twenty years.
"Please take good care of Momonosuke and Hiyori for me."
Tell them—their mother will always love them.
The light grew stronger and stronger, so bright that people couldn't open their eyes.
Just then--
"Mother!"
Momonosuke finally came to his senses and remembered his mother's words. Only then did he realize Momonosuke his mother was about to leave him as well.
With tears streaming down her face, she desperately rushed towards Kozuki Toki.
"I don't want to go! I want to stay with Mother!"
"Mother, let's go together! Let's go together!"
Kozuki Toki looked at him, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.
But she did not stop.
The light continued to intensify, and the fluctuations in spacetime became increasingly violent.
" Momonosuke."
She said softly,
"Obedient."
No! I won't listen!
Momonosuke cried out,
"I don't want to leave Mother! Father is already dead! I can't lose Mother too!"
"Please! Mother! Take me with you! Let's go together!"
He struggled desperately, trying to break free from Kin'emon's embrace.
Kozuki Toki's eyes were slightly red.
But she knew she couldn't be soft-hearted.
If she goes along, given her condition, she will only be a burden.
Moreover, she has her mission.
That prophecy needs to be proclaimed by her.
She took a deep breath and raised her hand—
Snap!
A crisp slap landed on Momonosuke's face.
Momonosuke froze, and his crying stopped abruptly.
He covered his face and stared blankly at his mother.
Kozuki Toki's eyes were filled with tears, yet also with sternness.
" Momonosuke."
Her voice was sterner than ever before.
"Your father is Kozuki Oden."
He is the greatest samurai of Wano Country.
"He's a hero who dared to face Kaido alone, and who managed to wound that monster even in his dying moments!"
"As his son, you shouldn't be showing such cowardice!"
Momonosuke trembled, tears welling up again, but he bit his lip tightly, refusing to cry out.
Kozuki Toki's eyes softened again.
She gently stroked Momonosuke's cheek.
"My child, your mother loves you."
"But a mother has her own mission."
"You must live on, and for your mother and father's sake, see the day Wano Country opens its borders."
"Okay?"
Momonosuke nodded frantically, tears blurring his vision.
Kozuki Toki smiled, a smile as gentle as moonlight.
Then, she closed her eyes and activated her power with all her might.
The radiance reached its peak!
Go ahead--
"See you again in twenty years!"
Buzz--!!!
Spacetime distorts, light explodes!
When everything returned to calm, the basement was empty.
Only Kozuki Toki, does he stand alone in the same spot.
She looked at the empty basement and a relieved smile appeared on her lips.
She turned around, pushed open the door of the cabin, and went outside.